THE OLD TENTH BATTALION.
It is necessary to distinguish this battalion as above, because it was
reduced after Waterloo, and another 10th Battalion added to the Regiment
subsequently, in 1846. As, however, there was no connection between the
two in any way, not even a battalion head-quarters, or a company cadre,
however small, left of the old 10th, this chapter differs from all the
preceding histories of the battalions, in being merely a sketch of a
part of the Regiment, whose traditions can be handed down to no lineal
descendant, and are the property of the Corps at large.
In the year 1807 the Regiment consisted of 12 troops of Horse Artillery,
90 marching companies, and 12 companies of invalids, besides the
Riding-house establishment, the last-named of which had been formed in
1806. There were also 10 companies of the Driver Corps. The Board of
Ordnance decided on augmenting the Regiment by another battalion of 10
companies; and this was the last augmentation of this description which
took place during the great wars with France. The _second_ 10th
Battalion, as has been stated above, was not formed until 1846; and the
others as follows: 11th and 12th Battalions in 1848; 13th Battalion in
1854; and 14th Battalion in 1855. All the augmentations which took place
between the formation of the _old_ 10th and the Battle of Waterloo, were
in the form of additional numbers to the ranks of the existing troops
and companies.
[Sidenote: Colonel Macleod to R. H. Crew, Esq., B. of Ordnance.]
The receipt in Woolwich, in the winter of 1807, of 1000 stand of arms,
was followed in February 1808 by the formation of a new battalion of 10
companies, in every respect like those already existing. The staff of
the brigade was as follows.
[Sidenote: MSS. R. A. Record Office.]
Colonel-Commandant Robert Lawson.
Colonels { John Schalch.
{ Henry Hutton.
{ G. A. Wood.
Lieutenant-Colonels { R. Dickenson.
{ Thomas Charlton.
Major William Dixon.
Adjutant 1st Lieutenant William Wylde.
Quartermaster Samuel Barnes.
The officers appointed to the various companies on their formation were
as follows:--
Captains. Second Captains. First Lieutenants.
No. 1 Company J. Maclachlan. Wm. Butts. E. Sheppard.
G. M. Graham.
No. 2 ” W. J. Lloyd. H. Scott. F. Wells.
F. Strangways.
No. 3 ” J. Addams. W. Green. G. Mathias.
J. T. Ellison.
No. 4 ” R. Dyas. R. Cairnes. E. Seward.
H. Wyatt.
No. 5 ” W. Shenley. J. Mallett. R. Godby.
S. Wyatt.
No. 6 ” W. Roberts. Hon. H. Gardner. W. Dunn.
E. C. Vinicombe.
No. 7 ” J. Fead. J. Marlow. W. H. Hill.
J. F. Frere.
No. 8 ” R. H. Birch. L. Carmichael. A. W. Hope.
W. A. Gordon.
No. 9 ” B. T. Walsh. F. Bedingfeld. G. M. Baynes.
D. Patullo.
No. 10 ” W. M. Leake. W. Millar. G. F. Roberts.
J. O. Burton.
There were no 2nd Lieutenants appointed to the companies on their first
formation.
The following changes took place among the Captains during the short but
eventful existence of the battalion:--
No. 2 Company, Brevet Lieut.-Col. Power, _vice_ Lloyd: 29th July, 1815.
No. 4 ” Captain (Sir A.) Dickson, _vice_ Dyas: 1st June, 1808.
” ” ” Taylor, _vice_ Dickson: 1st April, 1815.
” ” Brevet-Major Bredin, _vice_ Taylor: 1st June, 1815.
No. 5 ” Captain Chester, _vice_ Shinley: 6th Oct., 1813.
No. 9 ” Brevet Lt.-Col. Thornhill, _vice_ Walsh: 1st Jan., 1810.
” ” Captain Gilmore, _vice_ Thornhill: 6th June, 1815.
No.10 ” ” Cobbe, _vice_ Leake: 1st May, 1815.
The history of each company may be shortly stated.
_No. 1 Company._--This company formed part of the Expedition to
Walcheren in 1809, returning the same year. Its next foreign service was
during the second American [Sidenote: Captain J. Maclachlan. 2nd Capt.
J. Mackonochie. 1st Lieut. Shippard. 1st Lieut. G. Hunter. 2nd Lieut. R.
Tomkyns.] War. It embarked at Plymouth in March 1814, and landed at
Quebec on the 3rd June, accompanied by the whole of its officers. On the
5th June it left Quebec, in boats, and arrived at Fort George, on the
Niagara River, in the end of the month. On the 3rd July the Americans
crossed the river into Canada; and on the 5th, part of the company, with
Captain Mackonochie and Lieutenants Shipperd and Hunter, was in action
with the enemy at Chippewa. For his conduct on this occasion, Captain
Mackonochie was mentioned [Sidenote: ‘Annual Register,’ 1814.] in
despatches by General Riall. On the 10th July, part of the company, with
two field guns, under Lieutenant Tomkyns, was engaged with the enemy
near Fort George; and was thanked in General Orders. On the 25th July,
the whole company was engaged with the Americans near Niagara Falls, and
Captain Maclachlan was severely [Sidenote: Ibid.] wounded, losing the
use of his right arm. He, Captain Mackonochie, and Lieutenant Tomkyns
were specially [Sidenote: General Drummond’s Despatches, 27 July, 1814.]
mentioned by General Drummond in his despatches. On the 13th and 14th
August, the company, with its three subaltern officers, was engaged in
the batteries at Fort Erie; and on the 15th August, at the assault on
the same place. From the 16th August to 16th September, they [Sidenote:
Ibid. 15 Aug. 1814.] were engaged in the batteries at Fort Erie; and on
the [Sidenote: Ibid. 17 Sept. 1814.] 17th September, assisted in
repulsing a _sortie_ made from the Fort by 5000 Americans. On the 30th
September, the company, with its subaltern officers (both Captains being
sick in hospital), was engaged in repulsing a general attack on the
British lines on the Chippewa; after which the Americans, having
completely failed in obtaining possession of Upper Canada, recrossed the
Niagara River into the United States. In October the company took part
in fresh operations at Fort George and Fort Niagara; and Lieutenant
Tomkyns, with two 6-pounders, was attached to the 37th Regiment, when
sent to drive a strong party of Americans out of the country, who had
remained on the British side, plundering the inhabitants in the
neighbourhood of Turkey Point, on Lake Erie. In the spring of 1815, the
company was sent to Amherstburg; on the 23rd July, 1817, it returned to
England; and on the 31st of the same month it ceased to exist.
_No. 2 Company._--This company, under Captain Lloyd, and with 2nd
Captain Marlow, 1st Lieutenants Baker and Wells, and 2nd Lieutenant
Manners, took part in the Expedition to Walcheren in 1809. Its next
foreign service was very important. It embarked at Plymouth on 14th
January, 1815, and sailed for Cork to join the fleet destined for the
American Coast: after remaining there ten weeks it proceeded to sea; but
the second day after doing so, it received counter orders to proceed to
Ostend, where it arrived in the end of April.
The company, with Captains Lloyd and Rudyerd, and Lieutenants Wells,
Phelps, and Harvey, was engaged against the French on the 16th, 17th,
and 18th June, commencing at Quatre Bras and ending at Waterloo. During
these engagements, Captain Lloyd was mortally wounded, and died at
Brussels on the 29th July following; and Lieutenant Harvey lost his
right arm. To any one familiar with the story of the Artillery at
Waterloo, the subsequent reduction of this gallant company seems almost
a crime. It accompanied the army into France, where it remained until
March 1816; returning then to England, it disembarked at Ramsgate, and
proceeded to Woolwich, where, on the 28th April, 1817, it fell a victim
to the reductions which economy rendered necessary, but which the
Artilleryman must always bitterly regret.
_No. 3 Company._--This company, with Captain Adams, 1st Lieutenants
Otway and Moore, and 2nd Lieutenant Weston, took part in the Expedition
to Walcheren in 1809.
On the 16th March, 1814, the company, with Captains Adams and King, 1st
Lieutenant Day, and 2nd Lieutenant Pickard, embarked at Portsmouth for
North America, and disembarked at Quebec on the 30th May. In the July
following Captain King and Lieutenant Picard, with part of the company,
were ordered to march to Chambly, where they were attached to a battery
of 6-pounder field guns, for duty with that part of the army serving
under Major-General De Rottenburg. In the beginning of August, this
detachment, with two 6-pounders, and one 5½-inch howitzer, was ordered
to the frontier to act with the army under the command of General De
Watterville; and on the 4th September it moved forward with the army
commanded by Lieut.-General Sir George Prevost to Plattsburg, at which
place it was removed from its field guns, and posted to a battery of two
8-inch mortars, for service against the American lines and gun-boats.
From this place the army retreated on the 11th September. No part of the
company was engaged subsequent to this date; and the head-quarters
remained at Montreal, under Captain Adams. On the 17th June, 1817, it
embarked at Quebec for England, landing at Woolwich on the 23rd July. On
the 31st of the same month, the company was reduced.
_No. 4 Company._--If regret is unavoidable when one reads of the
reduction of the companies already mentioned, a much stronger feeling
inspires the Artilleryman--a feeling of righteous indignation,--when he
finds that this, Sir Alexander Dickson’s own company, shared the same
fate. Just as its Captain--in his position of confidential adviser to
the Duke of Wellington--raised the position of an Artillery commander on
service, so did the company, under its gallant 2nd Captain, Cairnes--who
was killed afterwards at Waterloo--contribute no mean share to the meed
of glory, and work well done, which attached to the representatives of
the Corps in the Peninsular campaigns. What battery is there now in
existence, but would give a great price to be able to say that the
following records of No. 4 Company, 10th Battalion, were its own
property by right of uninterrupted descent? And yet, perhaps, it is well
that praise, earned in such words as recognized the labours of Sir
Alexander Dickson’s company, should be viewed as a regimental, instead
of a battery inheritance. Let the record be briefly stated.
In February 1810, the company embarked at Woolwich on board the troop
ship ‘Alert,’ and disembarked at Cadiz on the 1st April. The officers of
the company present with it were Lieutenants Woolcombe, Raynes, and
Talbot; 2nd Captain Cairnes joined it in June 1810, and Lieutenant
Bridges in September 1811. It was stationed at the Isla de Leon during
the siege of Cadiz, taking its tour of duty in the advanced batteries.
The blockade continued from April 1810 to August 1812. In the beginning
of 1811, 30 non-commissioned officers and gunners, with small arms, were
told off under Lieutenant Mainwaring, Acting Quartermaster, as an escort
to the ammunition accompanying the expedition under Lieut.-General
Graham, which resulted in the battle of Barossa, on 5th March, 1811.
This detachment was present at that battle, as were also Captain Cairnes
and Lieutenant Raynes, who were attached to Major Roberts’ brigade of
guns; and Lieutenant Woolcombe, who acted as Adjutant to Major Duncan,
who commanded the Artillery. Lieutenant Woolcombe was mortally wounded,
and died on the following day.
In the month of September 1812, Colonel Skerrett was ordered to join
Lord Wellington’s army with 4000 men of the Cadiz division. Captain
Cairnes with the whole of the company marched from the Isla de Leon on
the 12th September, and on their arrival at Seville they were posted to
a brigade of 9-pounders. Captain Cairnes, having been severely wounded
by the explosion of a powder-mill near Seville a few days previously to
the march of the division, was left behind. The brigade, under the
command of Lieutenant Raynes, marched from Seville on the 30th
September, and joined the army under Lieut.-General Hill at Val de
Moros. On 30th October it was present at the affair of Puente Largo,
near Aranjuez, but was not engaged. At the close of this year’s
campaign, the brigade was stationed at Val de la Mula, on the Portuguese
frontier. Here it was rejoined by Captain Cairnes, and shortly
afterwards moved to Pena ma Cor.
On the 6th June, 1813, the brigade joined the 7th Division of the army
at Villalba, the following officers being present with it: Captain
Cairnes, Lieutenants Raynes, Bridges, Talbot, and James, and
Assist.-Surgeon Kenny. It was present at the battle of Vittoria, and
received the following mention in orders:--
_Extract from Division Orders by the Earl of Dalhousie._
“Camp in front of Vittoria,
22 June, 1813.
“The Lieut.-General desires to express his high admiration of the
conduct of the 1st Brigade, and of Captain Cairnes’ brigade of
guns yesterday. Nothing could surpass the steadiness and bravery
of the men and officers. To Captain Cairnes, the officers, and men
of the brigade of guns, the Lieut.-General offers his warmest
acknowledgments for the steadiness and excellence of their fire at
the different points where Captain Cairnes brought it to bear
during the day.
(Signed) “F. D’OYLEY, A.-A.-G.”
The brigade was afterwards employed in the blockade of Pampeluna in
conjunction with the Spanish troops. On the 27th July, the right wing
being driven back from Roncesvalles, after a series of actions
commencing on the 25th, Captain Cairnes’ brigade was ordered to take up
a position on the heights near the village of Oracain, commanding the
high road to Pampeluna. On the 28th July, the Artillery of the 6th
Division not having arrived, Lieutenants Raynes and James were detached
with two guns to the support of that division; and during the action
Lieutenant Talbot joined with another gun. General Packe, who commanded
the division, stood near the guns, and afterwards was pleased to say:
“The guns were brought up at a most critical moment, and served with all
that gallantry for which the Corps is remarkable.” On the 29th July,
this detachment rejoined Captain Cairnes, who was ordered to take up a
fresh position, and on the following day an action commenced at
daybreak. The enemy had previously endeavoured to surprise the advanced
posts, but was soon driven back. The brigade was heavily engaged from
daybreak till noon, when the enemy, driven back at all points,
retreated. These two actions of the 28th and 30th July formed part of
what are known as the “Battles of the Pyrenees.” The brigade remained in
the neighbourhood of Pampeluna until the 1st November, when the place
surrendered.
On the 10th November, the brigade was present at the battle of
Nivelle--held in reserve. On the 20th of the same month, it was ordered
to the rear and cantoned near Fuenterabia, where it remained during the
winter. In consequence of a deficiency of horses for the pontoon train,
those belonging to the brigade were given up for that service.
On the 11th February, 1814, Captain Cairnes having been appointed to the
Royal Horse Artillery, the command of the company fell to Lieutenant
Raynes. On the 19th February, it marched to St. Jean de Luz, to take
charge of rockets to be given over to Captain Lane.
On the 22nd February, Lieutenant Raynes received the following order:--
“Lieutenant Raynes with three non-commissioned officers and 4 gunners,
with spikes, will cross with the first party, and spike the guns of the
battery at the mouth of the Adour; which being accomplished, Lieutenant
Raynes will return to the left bank of the Adour, and take charge of the
rocket detachments on that side, which will have been previously told
off as follows, viz.:
“One half to be employed against the ‘Sappho’ frigate: for this duty,
Lieutenant Bridges.
“The other half against the enemy’s vessels, should any attempt to come
down the river: for this post, Lieutenant Elgee.
“The parties under Lieutenants Bridges and Elgee to accompany the
18-pounders on their march. Lieutenant Raynes to accompany the pontoons.
(Signed) “A. G. FRAZER, Lieut.-Colonel.
“22 February, 1814.”
On the 23rd February, the passage of the Adour took place. The company
remained before Bayonne until 8th March, when it was ordered to Reuterix
(Spain) to assist in preparing the battering-train for the proposed
siege of Bayonne.
On the 11th June Captain Close joined and took command of the company;
and on the 20th of the same month it embarked for England,--disembarking
on 12th July at Woolwich, and proceeding to Chatham.
It should have been mentioned that when the company was not actively
employed, its officers often volunteered for other services. For
example, from October 1811 to February 1812, Lieutenant Raynes was
employed with another company at the siege of Tarifa. Lieutenants
Bridges and Talbot, also, took part in the Expedition to Carthagena.
The company went from Chatham to Ireland, and was reduced, while serving
in that country, on the 31st May, 1817.
_No. 5 Company._--This company embarked at Woolwich on 28th February,
1810, for Cadiz, and landed at that place on the 1st April. The officers
who accompanied it were Captain Shenley, 2nd Captain Mallett, 1st
Lieutenants Maitland and Godby, and 2nd Lieutenant Cator. The company
was employed in the batteries and lines in the defence of Cadiz until
June 1812, when the French abandoned the siege. On the 16th August,
1814, it embarked at Cadiz for England, and landed at Woolwich on 27th
September, 1814. On the 28th February, 1818, it ceased to exist.
_No. 6 Company._--This company embarked at Gravesend on 28th February,
1810, for Cadiz, and landed there on 1st April. The company was employed
in the batteries and lines in the defence of Cadiz until the abandonment
of the siege by the French in June 1812. The officers with the company
were Captain Roberts, 1st Lieutenants Dundas and Cozens. During the
siege Lieutenant Cozens lost a leg. Part of the company, under Captain
Roberts, was detached in February 1811 on an expedition to Algaziras,
and afterwards was present at the battle of Barossa. Second Captain
Gardiner joined the company in 1811, but exchanged shortly afterwards.
On the 9th August, 1812, part of the company, under Captain Roberts,
with Lieutenants Raynes, Maitland, and Brett attached, embarked at Cadiz
with a brigade of 6-pounders under the command of Colonel Skerritt, and
was present at the taking of Seville on the 27th of the same month. Here
Lieutenant Brett was killed, and Lieutenant Maitland so severely wounded
that he died a few weeks after. From Seville the detachment returned to
Cadiz, where on the 16th August, 1814, they embarked for England with
the whole company, arriving at Woolwich on the 27th September, 1814. The
company was reduced after Waterloo on the 31st March, 1817.
_No. 7 Company._--This company served in Gibraltar from March 1810 to
April 1817. On its return to Woolwich, it was reduced,--on 31st May,
1817. Its reduction dislocated no traditions.
_No. 8 Company._--The history of this company tallies, even to the dates
of embarkation, with that of No. 7.
_No. 9 Company._--This company served at the Cape of Good Hope from
March 1811 to August 1817. It was reduced at Woolwich on 31st December,
1817.
_No. 10 Company._--This company served in Malta from December 1810 to
March 1817. It was reduced while in Malta, the men being transferred to
the 1st Battalion, to a company which is now called A Battery, 11th
Brigade, Royal Artillery.
The battalion head-quarters and Adjutant’s detachment were reduced on
28th February, 1818.
This summary of the history of the old 10th Battalion companies should
be read in connection with, and in amplification of, the chapters on the
Peninsular and Second American Wars.